Watch Jamaica’s Two Back-to-Back Goals That Just Shut Down the U.S. in the Gold Cup Semifinal

Jamaica’s Giles Barnes (L) is fouled by Kyle Beckerman of the U.S. during the CONCACAF Gold Cup semifinal on July 22, 2015, in Atlanta.

Photo by Nicholas Kamm/AFP/Getty Images

The crazy, unexpected, no good, very bad game. That’s what people will call this match in years to come. There was no reason for the U.S. to lose, and yet here we are.

After a slow start from both teams, the U.S. seemed to gain some momentum around the 20-minute mark.

Through a combination of quick and aggressive play, the U.S. dominated and seemed poised to score; it was only a matter of time. But then, this happened:

Then, less than 3 minutes later, this:

And with that, you could see the wind get sucked out of the Georgia Dome. Momentum drastically shifted. The U.S. came back fighting early in the second half, scoring in the 48th minute, it wasn’t enough. The energy didn’t last long, and it soon reverted to a game of catch-up.

U.S. coach Jürgen Klinsmann couldn’t help but look shocked as the minutes at the end of the second half ticked away. He stood in disbelief as he realized the powerhouse U.S. team he had carefully crafted was, in fact, not heading to the finals of the Gold Cup. I know; we can’t believe it either, Jürgen.